Hello again
I'm having a bit of a crisis because I've just read the diagnostic criteria on DSM-5 and I've realised I'm not sure if I fit the first section?
Difficulties in social communication
To be diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder, children must have difficulties in the area of social communication.
Signs of difficulties in this area include:
- rarely using language to communicate with other people
- not speaking at all
- rarely responding when spoken to
- not sharing interests or achievements with parents
- rarely using or understanding gestures like pointing or waving
- using only limited facial expressions to communicate
- not showing an interest in friends or having difficulties making friends
- rarely engaging in imaginative play.
I'm really scared now for my assessment because I am absolutely convinced I am Autistic, my GP thinks so too since he referred me. But I can't think of any symptoms I had for this section as a child? The second section I completely relate to, but this one is worrying me. I have always been anxious, unable to make eye contact, scared speak to other people as a child, but DSM-5 doesnt mention any of this in social communication? I have had difficulty making and keeping friends, but that is the only one I can think of. And I was a super imaginative kid?! (from what I remember) 'pretending' play was all I seemed to do. I was convinced I was a mermaid when I was young, and this has to be imaginative right? I maladaptive daydream too, so maybe I don't fit this at all?
I'm so confused!! Can anyone give me examples from their life which relates to this diagnostic criteria, just to see i'm missing something?